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Suspect in Decades-Long Cold Case Goes on Trial

STROUDSBURG — Nearly 50 years after a man was found murdered in Monroe County, the accused killer is finally going to trial in a decades-long cold case. T...
richard keiper cold case

STROUDSBURG -- Nearly 50 years after a man was found murdered in Monroe County, the accused killer is finally going to trial in a decades-long cold case.

The murder trial of Richard Keiper began Monday morning in Stroudsburg.

It was two years ago that Keiper was brought back to the Poconos and arraigned on charges of murder, robbery, and theft.

Keiper is charged with killing Alfred Barnes, a Bethlehem Steel executive, back in 1968 near Effort.

Investigators say Barnes was found off Evergreen Hollow Road near Effort in October 1968. He was shot multiple times.

But as the years passed, investigators say the case went cold until a break in August 2013 led to Keiper's arrest at his home in Texas.

While no motive has been given, investigators say Keiper told police he and Barnes had been fighting over a gun inside Barnes' car and Keiper admitted to firing at least three shots at Barnes.

Then Keiper said he pulled Barnes' body from the car and then drove the car to New Jersey.

The prosecution called several witnesses Monday, including Lee Hoffner of Saylorsburg who found Barnes' body.

Jurors heard statements made by the then deputy coroner at the time who had since passed away.

The last witness called before court adjourned was Herbert Orth, a retired New Jersey State Trooper. Orth testified he was called to the scene when Barnes' car was found in Sussex County, New Jersey just days after Barnes was killed.

Orth told the jury he saw blood on the driver's seat and floor, but not on the driver's side window.

Keiper has told investigators he left Pennsylvania shortly after the murder.

More prosecution witnesses are expected Tuesday morning when the trial is scheduled to resume at 8:30 a.m.

The trial in Monroe County is expected to last several days.

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